08/07/2023 3 Minute Read

XVII Women’s Softball World Cup - Group C Preview: World No. 2 and Olympic champs Japan lead exciting field

Japan lost to USA in the final of the last edition of the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup in 2018 and the Olympic champions and Canada are the clear favourites to finish amongst the top two of Group C and claim a spot in the Finals next year.

Three Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games participants highlight the XVII Women's Softball World Cup Group C, which opens on 22 July in Buttio and Castions di Strada, Italy.

World No. 2 Japan earned gold at Tokyo 2020, while No. 5 Canada clinched bronze, and the hosts and No. 8 Italy finished sixth. Japan and Canada look like the strongest candidates for the top two positions while No. 22 Venezuela, No. 26 Philippines and No. 29 New Zealand complete the participants.

JAPAN

WSWC Appearances: 16
Highest Finish: Champion three times (1970, 2012, 2014)
2018 Finish: 2nd
World Ranking: 2

The Tokyo 2020 Champions are the clear favourites in Group B. The roster went through generational renovation but kept performing at a world-class level. Miu Goto, a 22-year-old left-handed pitcher, is the star of the team.

In the 2022 World Games, Japan finished second behind the United States, who on paper, look to be the only National Team capable of beating them.

Having played the last seven finals, their goal is to return to the winners circle in 2024 after their back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2014, led by legend Yukiko Ueno, who will be playing her sixth World Cup this summer.

CANADA

WSWC Appearances: 16
Highest Finish: 2nd (1978)
2018 Finish: 3rd
World Ranking: 5

After a historic Olympic bronze medal, Canada's sixth-place finish in the World Games was disappointing. Sara Groenewegen is the only pitcher returning from the Olympic roster. She is the undisputed star. Groenewegen missed the 2018 World Cup after being placed in a 10-day, medically induced coma after contracting Legionnaires disease.

Among the position players, Emma Entzminger, Larissa Franklin, Kelsey Harshman, Jeanette Leung, Erika Polidori and Natalie Wideman were part of the Canadian team that claimed the bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

ITALY

WSWC Appearances: 13
Highest Finish: 5th (1990)
2018 Finish: 7th
World Ranking: 8

The hosts will field a solid team which has constantly performed according to their World Ranking level but has failed to step up to the next level because of limited run production. Erika Piancastelli, one of the most feared sluggers in the game, is the Azzurre's leader.

They played in the last four World Cups, but only made the final-eight in Chiba 2018, when they finished seventh. They are the only team qualified for the Finals, to be played in Buttrio and Castions di Strada from 15 to 21 July 2024, so they could use the Group Stage to get ready for the big show.

VENEZUELA

WSWC Appearances: 9
Highest Finish: 5th (2010)
2018 Finish: 12th
World Ranking: 22

Yuruby Alicart, a Beijing 2008 veteran, came out of retirement to lead Venezuela to a solid fifth-place finish in the Pan American Championship. After finishing fifth on home soil in the 2010 World Cup, Venezuela has failed to repeat itself on the world stage.

In nine appearances, they made the top-eight four times, the last in 2016 the they ended in sixth place. In the last World Cup in Chiba, Venezuela finished 12th with a 2-7 record, with wins over Botswana (8-0) and Group C rivals New Zealand (4-0).

On Saturday, Venezuela finished fourth at the Central American and Caribbean Games, losing to Mexico 3-0 in the bronze medal game.

PHILIPPINES

WSWC Appearances: 7
Highest Finish: 3rd (1970)
2018 Finish: 14th
World Ranking: 26

The Philippines were instrumental to softball development in Asia and medalled in 1970 when they participated in their first World Cup. Their women's softball programme resurged after failing to qualify for the World Cup from 1998 to 2016.

In Chiba 2018, they finished in 14th place posting a 2-6 mark, with wins over South Africa (10-0) and Netherlands (5-4) in Group A.

Philippines ended in fourth position at the Asia Oceania Olympic Qualifier 2019. They advanced to the Super Round after an eight-inning, 1-0 drama against New Zealand, one of their rivals in the Group Stage in Italy.

NEW ZEALAND

WSWC Appearances: 16
Highest Finish: One-time Champion (1982)
2018 Finish: 13th
World Ranking: 29

One of the women's softball powers from 1978 to 1990, the era of the great Gina Weber, New Zealand's programme started falling in the World Rankings after earning a silver medal at the 1990 World Cup.

New Zealand is one of only three nations with perfect participation in the World Cup, aiming to return to the Olympic stage as soon as 2028. This group stage looks like a test for their rebuilding programme, which is eager for international play having not competed since before the Covid pandemic.

Their performance in Chiba 2018 matched their worst World Cup position ever, a 13th place in Whitehorse 2012.